Proton S50

• Proton S50 spied again testing on Malaysian roads – SS11 B-segment sedan test unit with added bodykit

  In Cars, Local News, Proton, Spyshots / By Mick Chan / 22 August 2023 6:14 pm / 44 comments

  

  The upcoming Proton B-segment sedan, which has been tipped to be called the S50, has been sighted once again running trials on Malaysian roads, and this time it has been photographed by paultan.org reader Joseph Kong.

  Last seen in the wild towards the end of June, the upcoming sedan has been referred to by its SS11 internal codename by Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong, following the Aapico-Proton joint venture announcement in July.

  The removal of camouflage foil at this juncture is most gradual, with the latest example shorn of the foil on its side mirrors and rear quarter windows compared to its last sighting. There’s actually more, though.

  As for what’s still covered, this example also appears to wear a bodykit relative to the previously-sighted example of the S50, with this latest example given extensions to its front bumper lip, side sills and rear bumper lower edge, plus bootlid spoiler; this could be for a version of the Emgrand-based sedan of a different trim level, or accessory body kit package.

  

  Given the Geely Emgrand serves as its base, the S50 could use the 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that outputs 114 PS and 147 Nm of torque, which can be paired with either a five-speed manual or CVT sending drive to the front wheels.

  A more advanced powerplant could be had, thanks to its use of the B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) as on the Proton X50. That could be the B-SUV’s turbocharged powerplant, namely its 1.5 litre inline-three cylinder turbo petrol that makes 150 PS and 226 Nm.

  The Geely Emgrand measures 4,638 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,460 mm tall, and so the upcoming Proton S50 will be a larger car that Proton Preve it appears set to succeed. This lines up in terms of Proton’s sizing convention, where the X70 that competes with the Honda CR-V, is priced closer to the HR-V.

  We would guess the S50 will be priced between RM70k, which would be similar to Preve pricing, and RM85k, to slot in below the base-variant X50. How much would you be prepared to pay for the new Proton sedan?

   

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• Proton confirms new SS11 model coming soon – S50 sedan to rival B-segment Toyota Vios, Honda City?

  In Cars, Local News, Proton / By Mick Chan / 3 July 2023 5:42 pm / 43 comments

  

  At the Aapico-Proton JV annoucement, Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong let slip that Proton is indeed working on a new sedan model, and that it will be introduced sooner rather than later. He referenced the new model’s SS11 internal codename, which of course points directly at the Geely Emgrand sedan.

  In the Proton context, this would be the B-segment sedan that is widely tipped to be named the S50, which would go head-to-head with the likes of the Toyota Vios and Honda City.

  The national carmaker’s upcoming sedan model was last sighted running trials on public roads last month, and in right-hand-drive guise which suggests local-market development work is now at an advanced stage. The June sighting of the development car lends weight to suggestions that this is the model CEO Li has said will be the all-new model to be introduced by the end of 2023.

  With the Geely Emgrand as its base, a possible powertrain for the upcoming S50 is the Geely’s 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with 114 PS and 147 Nm of torque, paired with either a five-speed manual or CVT sending drive to the front wheels.

  

  Meanwhile, its use of the B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) as used for the Proton X50 also means that it could share the B-segment crossover’s turbocharged powerplant, namely its 1.5 litre inline-three cylinder turbo petrol that makes 150 PS and 226 Nm.

  Previously, we have also reported that the 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine is set to power more Proton models; one of these has since emerged to be the X90, while the other is the S50.

  Measuring 4,638 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,460 mm tall, the Emgrand-based S50 will be a larger model than the Proton Preve it appears to succeed. We will see if Proton will market the S50 (or S70?) as a B- or C-segment sedan, but it’s pretty likely that it will be fielded in the price range of the non-national B-segment sedans such as the Toyota Vios and Honda City.

  It will outsize its competition, just like how the CR-V-sized X70 is priced against the HR-V currently. Our guess is it’ll be priced between RM70k (similar to the Preve) and RM85k (to slot in under the base X50). Over to you, how much would you be willing to pay for Proton’s upcoming new sedan?

  GALLERY: Proton S50 spyshots

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Proton S50 – new spyshots show right-hand drive unit

  In Cars, Local News, Proton, Spyshots / By Anthony Lim / 26 June 2023 12:40 pm / 27 comments

  

  It has been a while since Proton’s future sedan model, widely tipped to be known as the S50, has been sighted doing road trials, but a new set of photos shows that it’s back doing the rounds, although there’s quite a difference this time. While the development unit remains fully camouflaged, photos taken by paultan.org reader Putra Azran of the car in Subang Jaya shows it to be a right-hand drive unit.

  This suggests that work on the upcoming S50 has made significant progress, suggesting that it is on schedule for anticipated introduction towards the end of 2023. Back in March, Proton CEO Li Chunrong confirmed the company would be launching an all-new model at the end of the year, and the new car would not be replacing any existing model currently on sale in its line-up, hinting strongly that it will be the S50.

  Expected to be based on the Geely Emgrand, the C-segment S50 is set to be positioned above the B-segment Persona, making it very much a long-awaited successor to the discontinued Preve. At 4,638 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,460 mm tall, the Emgrand-based S50 will be a larger vehicle compared to the Preve.

  

  In China, the Emgrand is powered by a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with 114 PS of 147 Nm of torque, paired with either a five-speed manual or CVT, with power driving the front wheels.

  Its use of the same B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) platform as the Proton X50 could mean that the sedan could use a turbocharged engine in the form of the group’s 1.5 litre inline-three cylinder petrol engine, which makes up to 177 PS and 255 Nm in its most powerful form.

  No price indication for the car has been suggested, but as it is set to be positioned above the Persona, pricing for it would likely start from somewhere around the RM60k mark. Expect more spyshots of the RHD S50 to emerge as it gets ever closer to its market introduction.

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Proton S70 – is everyone wrong about the name of the upcoming sedan based on the Geely Emgrand?

  In Cars, Feature Stories, Proton / By Paul Tan / 20 May 2023 9:01 pm / 94 comments

  

  Proton’s second launch of the year will be a sedan that we’ve all been calling the Proton S50, and not without reason. The donor car is the Geely Emgrand, which is built on the same Geely BMA platform as the Proton X50, and it is sold in the Philippines at a price point that competes with the City and the Vios, but offering a larger body as a competitive edge.

  So one would automatically assume that when the Emgrand is launched as a Proton, it would automatically be positioned a B-segment sedan and share a ’50’ model suffix with the B-segment X50 SUV.

  Having a look at the Geely-derived products that Proton has launched over the years including the Proton X90 launched not too long ago, we can see that Proton does not always follow the same product positioning that Geely uses for its products. After all, every market is unique, and to blindly use the same recipe in every market could mean a sales disaster.

  VIDEO: Geely BMA platform
  

  Take the X50 for example. Proton fitted a 1.5 litre turbo engine without a GDI system in lower end variants of the Proton X50. This engine has never been used in Geely’s version of the X50.

  Another example would be the Proton X90. The Geely Haoyue for China and Okavango for Philippines was only given a torsion beam rear suspension, but for the Malaysian market, Proton fitted a more advanced multilink suspension system.

  Moreover, the X90 comes with captain’s seats in the second row on the Flagship variant, something that has never been offered on the Hauyue and Okavango in any other market.

  

  Now we look at the Geely Emgrand. It is rather basic sedan in the Philippines market, built to offer more space at a cheaper price. The engine used in both China and Philippines is also a relatively underwhelming 1.5 litre normally aspirated engine making 102 PS and 142 Nm, mated to a CVT gearbox.

  It’s not that there’s anything bad with this type of engine, it’s just less impressive compared to turbo GDI engines mated to dual clutch transmissions.

  The Emgrand is also devoid of any form of ADAS driving aids or even AEB autonomous emergency braking in the Philippines market. It’s a barebones car.

  

  The latest sighting of the new Proton sedan posted on The Ajerul Facebook page shows that it will have ADAS features. You can see the ADAS camera featured prominently at the top of the windscreen. The ADAS camera has been there for some time now, even on previous sightings of the Proton sedan prototype. This means Proton may not be following the Philippines market barebones approach.

  If you take a look at the comparison table below, you can see that the Proton sort of sits in the middle of the B-segment and C-segment in size especially the wheelbase, with overall exterior size dimensions being much closer to C-segment than B-segment.

  

  Proton already has the Proton Persona as a B-segment sedan product. In addition, Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong mentioned the new Proton sedan will be an all-new model and will not replace any models currently being sold in Proton showrooms at the moment. So it is not a B-segment sedan that will replace the Proton Persona which is still being sold, but a C-segment sedan that will replace the Proton Preve.

  This means that while everyone has been calling this the Proton S50 all this while, what we could be looking at is actually more of a “Proton S70”, denoting a sedan counterpart to the Proton X70 C-segment SUV.

  To enable the “Proton S70” to compete as a true C-segment sedan, it is expected not to use the 1.5 litre normally aspirated engine and CVT gearbox found in in the Geely Emgrand, but instead will be powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo engine with a seven-speed automatic dual-clutch gearbox just like the Proton X50 and Proton X70 MC.

  

  Proton has already mentioned the main engine to be used on all of its new models in the future is the 1.5 litre turbocharged engine, known by the internal code GEP3. The engine is now assembled by Proton in its factory in Tanjong Malim with an investment level reaching RM1.8 billion. Around 70% of the components of the engine are now made by Proton vendors in Malaysia, and Proton states that it is capable of assembling 180,000 units of that engine per year.

  However, it is still unknown whether the new Proton sedan will receive the 1.5L Turbo engine with a conventional fuel injection system (PFI) with 150 PS/226 Nm of power like the Premium variant of the X50 and below, or in a version with direct fuel injection system with 177 PS/255 Nm of power.

  Moreover, the Proton Preve also previously used a multilink rear suspension, so it’s not impossible that its replacement could use the same. After all, Proton has proven that it would not hesitate to pick a multilink rear suspension over a torsion beam for the Proton X90, so maybe the same choice will be made on this new “Proton S70” sedan.

  Proton has registered many names in the new “Geely era” naming format that it has yet to use on a product. This includes Proton PV7, Proton V7, Proton V50, Proton V500, Proton PV5, Proton V5, Proton C500, Proton C50, Proton PC5, Proton C5, Proton S500, Proton S5, Proton PS5, and of course Proton S50 which is the name we all assume that the new sedan will be called. Most of these names were registered sometime in 2018-2019.

  If we were to look at potential model names further downmarket, even Proton S3, Proton S30, Proton PS3, and Proton S300 has been registered. As for upmarket, there’s a Proton X80 registered, could this be a coupe-bodied C-segment SUV based on the Geely Xingyue FY11 coupe SUV?

  

  The most recently registered is of course Proton S70. How recent? It hasn’t even been approved for registration and is still under the ‘under substantive examination’ status. The applications were submitted in the second half of 2022.

  After three continuous SUV launches, this new Proton sedan will be the first all-new sedan to be introduced by Proton, which has been a traditional sedan-based company, offering models like the Saga, Waja, Persona and Preve.

  The new “Proton S70” could be Proton’s best sedan yet. Are you a sedan fan and looking forward to the new Proton sedan’s launch?

   

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• Proton S50 confirmed for end-2023 launch – bigger C-segment sedan to be positioned above Persona

  In Cars, Local News, Proton / By Mick Chan / 28 March 2023 7:33 pm / 53 comments

  

  Proton S50 rendition by Theophilus Chin

  Alongside the announcement for what has now been confirmed to be the Proton X90, the national carmaker has also announced that there will be an all-new model to join the Proton line-up.

  Proton CEO Li Chunrong has confirmed that the all-new model will be launched by the end of this year, and as it will not be replacing any existing model that is currently on sale from the national carmaker, this would likely be what been tipped to be the Proton S50, a C-segment sedan that will go above the Persona. This will be one of a total of eight models that Proton will have in its line-up by the end of 2023, according to the CEO.

  This has widely been tipped to be based on the Geely Emgrand, based on spy images of development units sighted on Malaysian roads so far, and with the Geely sedan as a base, a likely powertrain to be offered is the China-market Emgrand’s 1.5 litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that outputs 114 PS and 147 Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through a CVT gearbox.

  

  

  

  Proton S50 spyshots (second row)

  There is also the possibility of using a turbocharged engine from within the group’s portfolio, and sharing the B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) with the Proton X50 means that the upcoming sedan could use the 1.5 litre inline-three cylinder petrol engine that makes up to 177 PS and 255 Nm in its most powerful form.

  While the S50 may be in the region of the C-segment category by size – its 4,638 mm length and 1,822 mm width are closer to those of the C-segment Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla – it is expected to have pricing more in the ballpark of the B-segment, which means that it is likely to be priced to compete against the likes of the Toyota Vios and the Honda City.

  As a reference, the B-segment Persona sedan is priced from RM47,800 for the 1.6L Standard CVT, RM53,300 for the 1.6L Executive CVT and up to RM58,300 for the top 1.6L Premium CVT variant as currently listed on the Proton official website price list.

  This would suggest that by being positioned above the Persona, pricing for the upcoming S50 would likely start from the RM60k mark, which is apt because this has been said to be a replacement for the Preve of 2012, which started from RM59,990 at its launch, and went up to RM72,990 for the top of the then-three variants when the Preve made its debut.

  GALLERY: 2022 Geely Emgrand (Philippines market)

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Proton S50 sedan buyer’s guide – new Preve replacement with 1.5L engine based on Geely Emgrand

  In Buyer's Guide, Cars, Proton / By Paul Tan / 24 March 2023 1:01 am / 124 comments

  
  

  Proton S50 rendering from @idiyaz.cg Instagram / Behance

  After launching two new SUV models (X70 and X50) and a third one (X90) soon, Proton will next shift its focus on a sedan model widely tipped to be called the Proton S50, which will sit above the Proton Persona in the Proton sedan line-up, effectively being a Proton Preve replacement model.

  Camouflaged prototypes of the upcoming Proton S50 sedan have already started to be seen driving around Malaysian roads on test, and we first featured spyshots of the Proton S50 prototype back in July 2022.

  Which Geely model is the Proton S50 based on?

  

  Geely has a few sedan models, but the Proton S50 is widely tipped to be based on the Geely Emgrand, with notable cues being the high C-pillars and gently raked rear window.

  Previously there was speculation that the Proton S50 would be based on the Geely Binrui, but now that actual prototypes of the Proton S50 have been sighted, we can see that the Binrui has a more coupe-like swoopy roofline that you don’t see on these prototypes.

  In addition, the Geely Emgrand is the sedan that Geely sells in the Philippines market which is an ASEAN market like ours, so it wouldn’t be too far fetched to assume that as another ASEAN market, Malaysia will be getting the Emgrand instead of the Binrui.

  What engine will the Proton S50 get in Malaysia?

  

  The Geely Emgrand uses a 1.5 litre normally aspirated petrol engine in the China market producing 114 PS and 147 Nm of torque, driving the front wheels with a CVT gearbox. In the Philippines, it also uses a 1.5 litre normally aspirated engine but with a slightly lower power output at 102 PS and 142 Nm. The CVT gearbox has 8 virtual gears if you want a manual mode.

  These engine options sound a little underwhelming when compared to the 1.5 litre and 1.8 litre high-powered turbo engines that we’ve seen in newly launched Proton cars recently. Though bear in mind if the S50 is priced to compete with the Vios and City, this normally aspirated engine power output would not be not too far off from what is offered in the Vios (105 hp, 140 Nm) and City (119hp, 145 Nm).

  However, there might be chance that at least one variant, if not all variants of the Proton S50 sedan would be equipped with a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine. Proton has previously confirmed there will be two new Proton models that will be getting a 1.5 litre turbo engine. One of the two is the upcoming Proton X90, which will get it bundled together with a 48V hybrid system. The other one could be the Proton S50.

  The Proton X70 MC’s 1.5 litre turbo engine is currently locally assembled in Proton’s new engine plant in Tanjung Malim. The engine plant currently makes the TGDi version of the engine, but Proton has said in the past that the plant would be capable of making the lower powered but more affordable port injection version of the engine that’s currently used in lower spec versions of the Proton X50. The port injection X50 engine is currently imported from China.

  Compared to the TGDi engine in the X50 Flagship which makes 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque, the port injection 1.5 turbo engine makes 150 PS and 225 Nm of torque. We think this is more than enough power to make an interesting choice for a top of the range Proton S50 paired with a DCT gearbox, while leaving the China/Philippines market normally aspirated engine+CVT gearbox combo for lower spec versions in order to offer a reduced entry price point.

  How big is the Proton S50?

  

  The Proton S50’s ‘donor car’ the Geely Emgrand measures 4,638 mm long, 1,822 mm wide and 1,460 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,650 mm. Boot space is rated at 500 liters.

  In the table above we compare the dimensions of the Geely Emgrand/Proton S50 against both B-segment and C-segment offerings from Honda and Toyota. This is because the Proton S50 is expected to be a C-segment product priced at the B-segment price range.

  In terms of exterior length, the Emgrand is the second longest of all the models listed, with its 4,638 mm length only losing out to the new Honda Civic’s 4,678 mm length. In terms of wheelbase, it sits in between the B-segment and C-segment with its 2,650 mm wheelbase, shorter than the Toyota’s 2,700 mm but longer than the City’s 2,600 mm.

  In terms of weight, it kinda sits in between the B-segment and C-segment as well, with its 1,250 kg weight being heavier than the average weight of the Vios and City, but lighter than the average weight of the Civic and the Altis, both of which get bigger, more complicated engines. A Geely Emgrand/Proton S50 with the heavier 1.8 turbo engine might close the weight gap between itself and its C-segment rivals.

  What are the Proton S50’s safety features

  

  In the Philippines, the Emgrand comes with average safety features. You get either 2 airbags or 6 airbags depending on specs, and there’s ABS, traction control, stability control, two ISOFIX points and a reverse camera and that’s about it.

  You could say that’s the minimum safety features that a car should come with and that’s about it. There are no fancy ADAS driving aid features, no AEB autonomous emergency braking, no adaptive cruise control.

  It remains to be seen if the Proton S50 will be the same or if Proton will add on more active safety features to it. At the very least, we think Proton should add autonomous emergency braking to the S50’s safety features.

  How much will the Proton S50 be priced at?

  

  The Geely Emgrand is priced at 753,000 PHP (RM60.6k) in the Philippines for the base 1.5 litre manual model. If you want a CVT automatic gearbox, you can pick between the Comfort model at 945,000 PHP (RM76k) or the Premium model at 999,000 PHP (RM80k).

  In Malaysia, the Proton S50 will sit above the Proton Persona in Proton’s sedan line-up. The Persona is priced from RM47.8k to RM58.3k.

  It would make sense for the Proton S50 to be priced similiar to the Geely Emgrand in in Philippines, sitting in the same RM60k to RM80k price range, as the next model up (Proton X50) goes for RM86.3k to RM113k.

  Are you not an SUV person and looking forward to Proton’s upcoming sedan? Let us know in the comments.

  GALLERY: 2022 Geely Emgrand (Philippines market)

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Proton S50 out on test – new Preve replacement soon?

  In Local News, Proton / By Mick Chan / 20 December 2022 5:18 pm / 30 comments

  

  The upcoming Proton sedan model that has been tipped to be called the Proton S50 has been sighted on public roads once again, sighted by a paultan.org reader.

  As before, the development car sighted here wears the same trade plates as those on the previously sighted in August and on past development units, which lends weight to the identity of the car photographed in camouflage. We get to see the front end of the car here, and though it remains shrouded, the upright outer shape of the grille can be seen.

  The Geely Emgrand offers its underpinnings for the S50, and given its positioning above the B-segment Persona sedan, the S50 will likely serve as the successor to the discontinued Preve.

  

  Measuring 4,638 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,460 mm tall, the Emgrand-based S50 will be a larger vehicle compared to the Preve that it will replace, by 95 mm in length and 34 mm in width. Wheelbase, however remains identical at 2,650 mm.

  In terms of powertrain, the China-market Emgrand uses a 1.5 litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that is rated to produce 114 PS of 147 Nm of torque, paired to either a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission, sending drive to the front wheels. In the Philippines, the Emgrand for that market is slightly detuned, producing 102 PS and 142 Nm.

  Its use of the same B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) as that of the Proton X50 could mean that the upcoming S50, based on the Emgrand, could use the crossover’s 1.5 litre turbocharged inline three-cylinder petrol engine, where it makes up to 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque in range-topping Flagship form.

  Being a sedan, how does the upcoming Proton S50 stack up against the likes of the Honda City and Civic, or the Toyota Vios and Corolla Altis? What equipment can be found in the China and Philppines market counterparts? Find out here in our guide to the upcoming model from Proton.

  GALLERY: 2022 Geely Emgrand (Philippines market)

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Proton S50 seen again – new Proton sedan soon?

  In Cars, Local News, Proton, Spyshots / By Mick Chan / 22 August 2022 3:24 pm / 39 comments

  

  It appears that development work for an upcoming Proton sedan model is ongoing, as suggested by a camouflaged unit undergoing road tests in these images provided by paultan.org reader Muhammad Bin Md. Yazed.

  Widely tipped to be called the Proton S50, the ‘B 4155 A’ trade plate attached to this particular test car has been spotted on past test cars by the national carmaker on models such as the Ertiga and X70, and the sedan itself has been seen with this trade plate back in July.

  Given its Geely Emgrand underpinnings, the forthcoming Proton S50 will be positioned above the B-segment Persona, and thus likely to be the oft-reported successor to the discontinued Preve.

  

  

  The Proton S50 was previously sighted road-testing last month (right) – click to enlarge

  Compared to the Preve, the Geely Emgrand is a larger car, the latter measuring 4,638 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,460 mm tall, or 95 mm longer and 34 mm wider than the Preve. Wheelbase however is identical between the two, at 2,650 mm.

  In terms of engines, the Emgrand that forms the basis of the future S50 is on sale in China with a 1.5 litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 114 PS and 147 Nm of torque, paired to either a five-speed manual or a CVT driving the front wheels. The Emgrand for the Philippines gets a slightly detuned unit, making 102 PS and 142 Nm.

  Being built on the same B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) platform as the Proton X50 means that this sedan could similarly use the 1.5 litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine in the SUV, which outputs up to 177 PS and 255 Nm in top Flagship guise.

  How close to market readiness is this Proton S50? We will have to wait to hear from the national carmaker for a more definitive picture of the upcoming sedan.

  GALLERY: 2022 Geely Emgrand (Philippines market)

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Two brand new Proton models to get the 1.5L TGDi engine soon – X90 SUV in 2023, S50 sedan in 2024?

  In Cars, Local News, Proton / By Gerard Lye / 6 July 2022 11:30 am / 34 comments

  

  Proton’s new engine plant in Tanjung Malim currently assembles the 1.5L TGDi engine that is used in the 2022 X70 MC. However, the carmaker said yesterday that the facility is also capable of making other versions of the mill, including one with port injection (PFI) that is currently imported from China for use in lesser X50 variants.

  For a brief recap, the 1.5L TGDi, which is also found in the X50 Flagship, makes 177 PS and 255 Nm of torque, while the 1.5T PFI serves up 150 PS and 226 Nm in the X50 Standard, Executive and Premium.

  Speaking at yesterday’s launch, Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah revealed the two 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engines will be vital to its product strategy. A slide displayed at the event depicted three new models set to be launched between 2023 and 2024, and we were told at least two of them will use a turbo three-cylinder.

  Now, we already know that one of the upcoming models will be a three-row SUV (popularly referred to as the X90) based on the Geely Haoyue/Okavango. Originally set to be launched this year, the X90 has since been postponed to at least 2023 due to issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic (movement control orders, supply chain problems).

  

  

  In China, the Haoyue uses the same 1.8 litre turbo four-cylinder (181 PS and 300 Nm) in the X70, which is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels. Over in the Philippines, the SUV is known as the Okavango and it gets a 1.5 litre turbo three-cylinder with a mild hybrid system for 190 PS and 300 Nm, also with the same drivetrain.

  It’s possible the X90 gets the 1.5L TGDi engine without the mild hybrid system, but there’s also a likelihood that we do get the Okavango’s powertrain. Proton noted its new engine plant is designed to assemble electrified engines and it previously placed a 1.5L TGDi with a 48-volt belt-integrated starter generator (BSG) on display at its Gallery of Inspiration. If we do get the electrified powertrain, the X90 could be the first Proton model to sport a mild hybrid system.

  The next model due in the coming years is rumoured to be a sedan called the S50 that replaces the C-segment Preve. Reportedly based on the fourth-generation Geely Emgrand, the S50 was recently sighted undergoing testing while wearing heavy camouflage.

  

  The Emgrand is built on the same BMA (B-segment Modular Architecture) platform as the X50/Binyue, but unlike the SUV, the S50 could receive Proton’s own styling to distinguish itself from the car it’s based on.

  It was previously reported that Proton will develop new models locally using the BMA platform, with company CEO Li Chunrong saying there will be two new models that are to be fully developed by homegrown talents in the next three to five years – this statement was made in 2020. Just how different the S50 will be compared to the Emgrand remains to be seen, if ever it becomes a reality.

  In China, the Emgrand is equipped with a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that serves up 114 PS (113 hp) and 147 Nm of torque, with a five-speed manual or CVT sending drive to the front wheels. The Philippines model uses the same powertrain, but its engine is detuned to make 102 PS (101 hp) and 142 Nm. Based on Roslan’s statement earlier, the S50 could come with a 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

  

  As for the third model, Roslan said back in May this year that the Exora would be given a more substantial facelift that potentially includes a new powertrain being introduced. The carmaker has already stopped R&D work on its CamPro engine family, with the CFE version currently used in the Exora RC likely to be phased out in favour of locally assembled 1.5 litre turbo three-cylinder engines.

  A revised Exora isn’t an all-new model, so the third model shown could be the smart #1 that is due to arrive in 2023 to take advantage of EV incentives that expire at the end of next year for CBU EVs. The non-Proton model will be sold through Proton Edar and features a single rear motor that pushes out 272 PS and 368 Nm of torque, along with a 66 kWh battery that delivers a range of 535 km.

  While Proton isn’t revealing what are the models it plans to launch over the next two years, it’s clear that turbo power will be prioritised. Which of the new models are you looking forward to the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

   

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• Proton S50 spied – new sedan as Preve replacement?

  In Cars, Local News, Proton, Spyshots / By Gerard Lye / 6 July 2022 10:08 am / 35 comments

  

  It looks like Proton is working on a new sedan model, at least according to these photos of a camouflaged sedan recently spotted by paultan.org reader Darren Lee. The vehicle in question is wearing a rather familiar trade plate, as “B 4155 A” was also used by the national carmaker for the Ertiga as well as the X70 in the past.

  The idea of a Proton coming up with a new sedan isn’t new. Popularly referred to as the S50, the model is widely tipped to be based on the fourth-generation Geely Emgrand that has already been launched in China and made its way to the Philippines in February this year.

  Frequently reported as a successor to the now departed Preve, the S50 would occupy the C-segment sedan section of Proton’s line-up, giving customers an option for something larger than the B-segment Persona that isn’t an SUV.

  The camouflaged vehicle does appear to resemble the Emgrand, with notable cues being the high C-pillars and gently raked rear window. The Binrui was previously claimed to be the base for the S50, although that sedan has a more swoopy roofline that isn’t evident in the photos. It remains to be seen if Proton will make significant design changes for its take on the Emgrand.

  

  

  In terms of dimensions, the Emgrand measures 4,638 mm long, 1,820 mm wide and 1,460 mm tall. Compared to the Preve, the Geely sedan is longer (+95 mm) and wider (+34 mm), but it shares the same wheelbase of 2,650 mm. As an additional comparison, the current Persona is 4,366 mm long, 1,722 mm wide, 1,564 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,555 mm.

  In China, the Emgrand is equipped with a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that serves up 114 PS (113 hp) and 147 Nm of torque, with a five-speed manual or CVT sending drive to the front wheels. The Philippines model uses the same powertrain, but its engine is detuned to make 102 PS (101 hp) and 142 Nm.

  As the Emgrand is built on the same BMA (B-segment Modular Architecture) platform as the X50, the resulting S50, if Proton does make it, could also receive a 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The carmaker already makes the 1.5L TGDi here and said it can make other variants of the mill, including the port-injected (PFI) variant for future models.

  For now, we’ll have to wait for Proton to reveal more information. The company has quite a lot on its plate currently, as it not only has a massive order bank to fulfill but also work on a seven-seat SUV that the public is referring to as the X90.

  GALLERY: 2022 Geely Emgrand (Philippines market)

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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